Metra And Village Resolve Disputed Beautification

Itasca — Village Board members seeking satisfaction from Metra for the cost of additions to the Orchard Street beautification project got more than they requested last week.

Metra officials gave Itasca a $14,000 check to cover some of the cost of improvements that the village's contractor, GF Structures, made at Metra's request without first seeking Itasca's approval.

In addition, Metra officials will launch their own beautification project for the Itasca train station next spring. They have promised to rebuild the entire platform, install a public address system, build wheelchair ramps, bury the electrical lines and remove the overhead lines and poles, said Trustee Richard D'Ambrosia. That project will cost more than $500,000, he added.

The improvements done by the contractor at Metra's request cost about $25,000.

"What the village is getting from Metra far exceeds the value of the work the village did on Metra's property," D'Ambrosia said. "The biggest benefit is getting rid of the overhead electric lines and poles."